bombastic

adjective

bom·​bas·​tic bäm-ˈba-stik 

: marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means : marked by or given to bombast : pompous, overblown

The spots that ran before the title game were even more bombastic: "The greatest rivalry ever …"

—Franz Lidz

bombastically

bäm-ˈba-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of bombastic

• rhetorical
• inflated
• pontifical

Examples of bombastic in a Sentence

a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district

Recent Examples on the Web

The music itself is frantic and bombastic, exploding her crush into a throbbing, single-minded fascination. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

This is a musical in a very mainstream pop mode of supple but almost juvenile high voices singing banal lyrics to catchy melodies with rather bombastic production. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

This is a deeply weird album, somehow both bombastic and elusive. — Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

In her time in Congress, Boebert has been known for bombastic statements and frequently draws national attention. — Elliott Wenzler, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

bombast + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bombastic

• aplastic
• dynastic
• dysplastic
• elastic
• fantastic
• gymnastic
• monastic
• sarcastic
• scholastic
• silastic
• stochastic
• aeroelastic